It is usually during adolescence that young people start thinking about contraception. Contraception helps prevent unwanted pregnancies after unprotected sex as well as various STIs. Knowing the different contraceptive options available is essential if young people are to enjoy a healthy and serene sex life. And that starts with finding out what contraception is available and how to use it properly.
What is contraception?
Contraception is a method of protection for avoiding the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Contraception is available for all people, regardless of gender (trans, non-binary, female and male). That’s why all young people are concerned by contraception. And it’s important to think about which method of contraception is right for you before you consider having sex.
There are 3 categories of birth control contraceptives:
- Those that prevent ovulation (birth control pills, hormones, etc.)
- Those that prevent sperm and egg from meeting (condoms, spermicides, etc.)
- Those that prevent the fertilized egg from becoming a baby (morning-after pill or emergency oral contraception)
Some methods of contraception are available over the counter, such as condoms and spermicide. For other methods of contraception, you need to meet with a healthcare professional. If you wish, you can ask someone you trust or your partner to accompany you.
It is also important to know that:
- Everything said during a medical appointment remains confidential.
- You can change your method of contraception whenever you feel the need.
What are the different types of contraception?
There are a number of contraceptive methods that act on either the male or female reproductive organs. Here are the main ones:
Contraceptives acting on the male genital tract
Condoms : An external condom is placed on the penis and acts as a barrier to prevent sperm from passing through. To be effective, a condom must be well placed on the penis and its expiration date must not have passed.
Vasectomy : Although this method is generally reversible, it is primarily intended for people who do not wish to conceive children in their lifetime. It involves surgery to block the duct that carries sperm.
Other contraception methods are currently being tested or developed. None has yet received official scientific validation. One example is heated underwear, which keeps the testicles warm for several hours a day. The heat has the effect of rendering sperm inactive, and initial tests appear to be conclusive.
Contraceptives acting on the female genital tract:
Internal condoms: this is an internal condom that is placed in the vagina. It works in the same way as the external condom.
Spermicide : This is a product which is placed at the entrance to the cervix and renders sperm inactive. This contraceptive method is similar to the sponge, diaphragm and cervical cap.
The contraceptive pill : This is a pill that contains hormones to prevent ovulation. There are several types of pill: the regular pill contains estrogen and progesterone, and the minipill contains progesterone only.
The contraceptive ring : This flexible ring contains hormones and is placed manually in the back of the vagina. It remains in place for 21 days. It is then removed for 7 days to allow menstruation to take place. A new ring must then be inserted.
The contraceptive patch: It’s a small beige patch that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. A new patch is applied every week for 3 consecutive weeks. During the 4th week, no patch should be applied to allow menstruation to take place.
Contraceptive injections : This is an injection of progesterone into the arm, allowing people to be infertile for around 6 months. A medical appointment is required to receive the injection.
The IUD: This is a small, T-shaped object that is placed in the uterus. There are two types of IUDs. A copper one and a plastic one containing hormones. To fit or remove an IUD, you need to make an appointment with your doctor or gynecologist.
Tubal ligation: This method is generally irreversible, which is why it is mainly intended for people who do not want to have children in their lifetime.
Unreliable methods of contraception
You may have heard of other methods of contraception:
The withdrawal/pull-out method: This involves withdrawing before ejaculation. However, a person cannot prevent the pre-ejaculatory fluid, sometimes containing sperm, from flowing out. This makes the method unreliable.
The calendar method: This involves keeping track of the menstrual cycle to avoid unprotected intercourse during fertile periods. However, a person’s menstrual cycle is not always regular, and factors such as stress can disrupt it. This makes this method less reliable than the other contraceptive methods we’ve just discussed.
Can I stop wearing a condom if I’m using another method of contraception?
Condoms are the only form of contraception that also protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These infections are transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. Among the most common are:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Genital herpes
- Syphilis
- Papillomavirus (HPV)
- HIV/AIDS
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
STI carriers don’t necessarily have symptoms. It is also possible for sexual partners to carry and transmit an STI without knowing it. That’s why health professionals recommend regular screening.
Only condoms (and dental dams for oral sex) can protect you against STIs.
Therefore, in order to stop wearing condoms, partners must:
- Be willing and consenting
- Have been tested for STIs before removing the condom
Contraception is the safest way to avoid having to terminate a pregnancy. Getting the information you need is the first step towards protecting yourself and enjoying a fulfilling sex life. So don’t hesitate to visit your nearest pharmacy to talk to a nurse. You can also make an appointment with your family doctor or gynecologist.
Sources
https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/sante-sexuelle/utilisation-securitaire-condoms.html
https://soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca/handouts/preteens-and-teens/birth-control-for-teens
https://jeunessejecoute.ca/information/prevenir-une-grossesse-contraceptifs-et-sexe-sans-risques/ https://www.teljeunes.com/Tel-jeunes/Tous-les-themes/sexualite/contraception
